MANILA (2nd UPDATE)— Two Filipinos were killed in Israel, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday, five days after militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack in southern portions of the country.

“The Philippines condemns the killing of two Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel,” Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a statement posted on X.

It is not immediately clear if the 2 fatalities were among the 6 Israel-based Filipinos the DFA has been trying to look for in the past days.

Manalo did not give further details about the two Filipino fatalities, but said that the DFA would “continue to provide all possible assistance to distressed Filipinos nationals in Israel and Palestine.”

1/3 The Philippines condemns the killing of two (2) Filipino nationals and all other acts of terrorism and violence as a result of Hamas actions against Israel.

— Enrique A. Manalo 🇵🇭 (@SecManalo) October 10, 2023

2/3 The Philippines is ready to work with other countries towards a long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law.

— Enrique A. Manalo 🇵🇭 (@SecManalo) October 10, 2023

3/3 The Philippine government will continue to provide all possible assistance to distressed Filipinos nationals in Israel and Palestine.@DFAPHL

— Enrique A. Manalo 🇵🇭 (@SecManalo) October 10, 2023

“The Philippines is ready to work with other countries towards a long-lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and the general principles of international law,” he said.

Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss condoled with the families of the victims. He also thanked the overseas Filipino workers staying in Israel.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the families but also to express our gratitude to those 6 Filipinos and generally to the OFWs in Israel who are there staying with our families, with the elderly people," Fluss said in an interview on ANC.

"Even in the time of this emergency, the Filipinos are not requesting to be evacuated from Israel," he added.

The envoy said the Hamas militants continue to enter Israel mostly in the southern part of the country to "kill Israelis," noting that this was war.

He also blasted the terror organization for its actions and for using civilians as "human shields."

"The border with Gaza has been bombed... It is a war situation. There is no discussion with Hamas which is holding 150 plus captives. People have been kidnapped from Israel... No humanitarian gestures," he said.

There are some 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, and 137 others in the Gaza strip.

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Several Filipinos in Gaza have requested for repatriation, but Philippine authorities said that mounting the flight remains a challenge due to Israel's blockage against the entire Gaza strip.

Meanwhile, the DFA of the 32 Filipinos reported missing, 26 have now been found or rescued. They have also been brought to safe areas.

One Filipino is also recovering in a hospital after sustaining injuries during rescue.

Authorities have also contacted the family of one of two deceased Filipinos to convey the news and to offer sympathies.

"The Embassy will provide the necessary assistance to her, particularly on the repatriation of his husband's remains," the DFA added.

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